Jose Mourinho’s Fiery Defense of Marcus Rashford

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho pulled no punches in a lengthy, fiery defense of his use of Marcus Rashford, stating that “he is not Dominic Solanke or Ruben Loftus-Cheek” and setting his verbal attack on what he calls “compulsive liars.”

“If you don’t mind losing a couple of minutes, I’m going to do something not for you [the media] but the United fans and I think I hold myself to the United fans and for them I am going to spend two minutes with you,” Mourinho started his rant, according to ESPN FC.

“In 2016-17, Marcus Rashford played 32 Premier League matches, 11 Europa League matches, including the final, three FA Cup matches, six League Cup matches and the Community Shield.

“He had 53 appearances, but if you want to take the minutes of play, he played 3,068 and if you want to divide that by 90 minutes matches, he played 34.2 matches of 90 minutes matches in 2016-17.

“In 2017-18, 35 Premier League matches, eight in the Champions League, five in FA Cup, three League Cup matches and the European Super Cup final.

“He played a total of 52 matches with 2,676 minutes, if you divide that by 90 minutes, gives 29.7 matches.

“So with me, in two seasons, he had 105 appearances, 5,774 mins, 63.7 matches of 90 minutes, including five finals, so the people that are speaking about these minutes, I think they are a bit confused.

“Marcus Rashford is not Dominic Solanke.

“He is not Ruben Loftus-Cheek, he is not Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

“He is Marcus Rashford, a Manchester United player, with an incredible number of appearances and an incredible number of minutes played at the highest level in the best possible competitions.

“So Manchester United supporters, for you and just for you, to know what we are doing with Marcus Rashford, that’s what we are doing here.”

“I think I can expect that Sunday I’m going to be highly criticised for not playing him because some of the boys are really obsessed with me and some of them have a problem with some compulsive lies,” added Mourinho.

“I can expect that Sunday some of them will wake up in the morning and the first thing they think is Jose Mourinho, so I can imagine on Sunday I am going to be criticised for not playing Marcus but it’s not my fault, he’s suspended.

“Probably you should remind them he is suspended and cannot play. His performances with England, of course I’m happy, he played well, competed well, he scored and especially in a period where he comes with some sadness after his suspension it was very good that he did that.”

“Some of the persons, everybody knows they have double salaries, they work also for the clubs and of course they are not independent and they conduct things in the direction they want, that’s obvious, human, is natural, not ethical but I accept it,” said Mourinho.

“The ones that wake up in the morning and the first thing that comes into their mind is Jose Mourinho and Manchester United, I feel sorry for them.

“But for the Manchester United supporters it is important they have the right idea of how things are in reality but the most important thing of all is that the kid is a good kid, a good player, knows what Manchester United did for him.

“Since I was here, he was never one day out of selection because of my decision, only if he was injured or suspended.

“He was never ever out of a selection, so he knows and that’s the most important thing.

“But the media is very important and it is very important Manchester United supporters know the truth, that’s why I’m going so specific about these numbers.”

“I don’t know [if he will play],” said Mourinho. “Contrary to some news, to some opinions by the protocol point of view and according to our doctor, he will be free to play.

“The only situation we have to analyse is if you are going to play him when during the week he was not training with the team.”

Anthony DiMoro is the founder of Futbol Post. DiMoro has covered sports since 2011 and has launched successful brands such as Sports Rants and DiMoro Sports. Heading up DiMoro Inc., a media family that includes several sports entities, such as the Futbol Post.